Diana L. Skaggs
In and out of the courtroom, Diana L. Skaggs is on the forefront of new developments in the practice of family law, and is recognized for her innovation in the field as well as her continued dedication to families, children and public service. She received the Louisville Bar Association’s 2006 Revell Family Law Award in honor of these commitments. President of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys, Skaggs takes an active role in professional organizations and frequently teaches other family law attorneys and judges at continuing legal education courses. She is A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in 2008 Best Lawyers in America in the field of family law (Copyright 2006 Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, S.C.) and selected for inclusion in 2007 Super Lawyers as being among the top 5% of family lawyers and one of the top 25 women lawyers in Kentucky across all fields of practice.
Skaggs, who received her Juris Doctor degree from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in 1982, maintains professional memberships and has held offices in several regional and national organizations. She formed Diana L. Skaggs + Associates in 1999, although she has devoted her practice to family law for more than twenty years.
Though the firm focuses on all aspects of divorce and family law, Skaggs concentrates her practice on clients undergoing complex financial divorce, including business valuation, trusts, tax, tracing of non-marital funds and integrated solutions for wealth management and preservation.
“While most matters are settled privately, my extensive trial experience and our staffing allows us to handle complex litigation where necessary or appropriate” says Skaggs.
CURRICULUM VITAE
DIANA L. SKAGGS
Diana L. Skaggs + Associates
623 West Main Street
Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 562-0050
Facsimile: (502) 582-3523
Editor, Divorce Law Journal
EDUCATION & HONORS
J.D., cum laude, University of Louisville Law School, 1982
Honors: Class Standing - top 10%
Brandeis Scholar
Dean's List, all semesters
B.A., English, University of Louisville, 1974
2006 Recipient of Judge Richard A. Revell Family Law Award, Louisville Bar Association, for being in the forefront of new developments in the practice of family law, dedication to families and children through work both inside and outside of the courtroom, innovation in family law and dedication to public service.
A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion in 2008 Best Lawyers in America, in the field of family law. (Copyright 2006 Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, S.C.)
Named by 2007 Super Lawyers as being among the top 5% of family lawyers and one of the top 25 women lawyers in Kentucky across all fields of practice.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President 2007-2009, President-Elect 2005-2007, Vice-President 1999-2001
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1996 - present, Kentucky Delegate to National Board of Governors, 2003-2004
- Certified Arbitrator, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Louisville Bar Association, 1982 - present, Board of Directors, 1984; Family Law Section
- Kentucky Bar Association, 1982 - present, Family Law Section
- Kentucky Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, 1988 - 2007
- Kentucky Collaborative Family Network, Inc., 2002 – present
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Twelfth Circuit Bar Association ( Oldham, Henry, Trimble Counties)
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Domestic Law Section
LECTURES and Publications
- "Seventeenth Annual Domestic Relations Update", Louisville Bar Association, 2008
- 2007 and 2008 update to Kentucky Divorce, with Hon. Richard A. Revell and Alan T. Slyn, (Thomson-West)
- Domestic Relations Editor, Advocate (Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys), 2007
- "Sixteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update," Louisville Bar Association, 2007
- Editor of www.DivorceLawJournal.com
- "Appreciated Nonmarital Assets- Active or Passive," Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Louisville Bar Association, 2006
- "Fifteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update", Louisville Bar Association, 2006
- Attorneys’ Role in Collaborative Process," Kentucky Collaborative Family Network, Inc. Interdisciplinary Training, 2005.
- Modification of Spousal Support- New Surprises," Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2005
- “Discovery in Complex Divorces,” Complex Divorce Litigation: Forensic Accounting, Discovery, & Alternatives to Litigation, Louisville Bar Association, 2004
- “Modifying and Terminating Maintenance: Some Surprises,” Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2004
- "Child Support and Maintenance in Large Income Cases," Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2002
- "Custody, Access and the Voice of Children of Divorce," Louisville Bar Association, 1999
- "Ethical Use of Trusts and Limited Partnerships" and "Representing the Corporate Executive," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, 1999
- "Family Lawyer/Family Mediation Roundtable," LBA, 1999
- "Discovery and Disclosure," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, KBA and LBA, 1998
- "Family Law Litigation in Kentucky," National Business Institute, 1995
- "Child Abuse and Spouse Abuse: Emerging Theories of Liability," Kentucky Bar Association, 1991
- "Child Sexual Abuse Allegations - Evidentiary Issues," Kentucky Alliance for Exploited and Missing Children, 1991
- "Spouse Abuse," Kentucky Bar Association, 1991
PUBLISHED CASES
Welch v. Velten, 185 S.W.3d 163 (Ky. 2006)
Bennett v. Bennett, 133 S.W.3d 487 ( Ky. App. 2004)
Downing v. Downing, 45 S.W.3d 449 ( Ky. App. 2001), establishing "3 pony rule" for child support in large income cases
Giacalone v. Giacalone, 876 S.W.2d 616 ( Ky. App. 1994)
Johnson v. Smith, 885 S.W.2d 944 ( Ky. 1994)
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (Past few years only)
2008
Eleveenth Annual Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KYMastering Child Custody Evaluations: Conductin Scientifically Crafted Child Custody Evaluations; and Use of Psychological TestsDeconstructing the Evaluation Reprt; and How to Cross-Examine an Expert's Custody EvaluationClinicians in Court; A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying and Everything Else the Experts Needs to Know; A Call for Clinical Humility and Judicial Dilegence; and Is the Child's Therapist Part of the Problem? What Attorneys, Judges and Mental Health Professionals Need to Know About Court Ordered Treatment for ChildrenEthical Issues in Child Custody Cases; and AAML & ABA Ethical Guidelines and Authorities for Guardian Ad Litem in Custody and Access DisputesHow to Prepare for the Difficult MediationDivorce TaxationQDRO Tips for Lawyers to Put in Agreements & Court to Put in Judgments
2008
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Spring Retreat for Southeast Chapters, Nashville, NCTop Ten Ways to Improve Legal WritingTips and Thoughts from the Appellate BenchForensic Accounting and Divorce
2008
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, San Diego, CA Spring MeetingProviding Top Quality Service to the Family Law ClientKeeping Secrets: Client Confidentiality in a Family Law PracticeRunning an Efficient and Effective Law OfficeAdvanced Procedure and Evidence in Discovery: Objections, Privileges, Privacy Laws, and More for Family LawAdvanced Trial Evidence for the Family Law LawyerHow to Deflect and Defeat Dirty TricksShe Got the Gold Mine-I Got the Shaft, Finding the Gold Nuggets: Personal and Corporate Tax Returns and Financial Statements
2007
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL Annual Meeting and SeminarFinding and Analyzing Electronic EvidenceAdmissibility of Electronic EvidenceLatest Developments in Family Law Taxation MattersIdentity TheftPrescription for Divorce
2007
Kentucky Bar Association District Bar MeetingElectronic Evidence
2007
University of Kentucky 16th Biennial Family Law Institute, Lexington, KYBiennial Case Law and Legislative Update in Family LawEstate Planning Issues for the Domestic RElations AttorneyRevisiting Fenwick39 Ways to Improve your QDRO PracticeBest Practices for the Difficult Ethical Dilemmas in Family Law
2007
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Grand Cayman Island, Spring Meeting and Seminar
Forensic Discovery and Hedge and Private Equity Fund Valuation
Dealing With Impaired Clients
Speaking to Win Hot Tips
Child Support and Spousal Support in Extremely High Income Cases: Is Enough Even Enough?
2006
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Negotiation Techniques by the Expert, Prof. Robert Mnookin, Harvard University
Ethical Concerns for the Family Law Attorney
Children Held Hostage
Tracing Assets in Property Cases
National Update of Same Sex Marriage
2006
Collaborative Divorce, Advanced Training, KCFN, Inc., Pauline Tesler, J.D. and Peggy Thompson, Ph.D.
2006
9th Annual Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY
Relocation- Fenwick "Dead or Alive"
KY Law Updates
Pre-Nup/Post-Nup "Love Me Forever, But Not My Assets"
Maintentance Symposium
2005
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Custody, Intellectual Property Rights, Evidence and Ethics
The Legal Status of Same Sex Marriages/Relationships
Alimony, Spousal Support, and Maintenance
2005 2005 8th Annual Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA, Louisville, KY
39 Ways to Improve Your QDRO Practice
Big Issues/Big Cases
Stepping Back from Anger, Kentucky Style
A Methodical Approach to Resolution of Spousal Support
Electronic Evidence Discovery and Cyberspace Misconduct
Dissipation of Hidden Assets
Constitutional Rights of Parents to Joint Custody
Arbitration: A New Concept on Time in Family Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution Ethics and Professionalism
2005 Collaborative Divorce Interdisciplinary Training, Louisville, KY
2004 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Standard of Value for Professional Practices and Closely Held Business
Comparative Types and Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Use of Behavioral Science Specialists in Contested Child Custody Cases
2004 7th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA, Louisville, KY
Family Law and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Child Support Deviations: Big, Small, and All Around
Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships—What Is in Store for Kentucky?
Common Problems for Family Law Practitioners and Ethics 2000 on the Horizon
Classification and Division of Stock Options
Negotiating Skills for Family Law Attorneys
Law Office Management and Technology
Criminal Matters in Child Support
Domestic Violence and Immigration—New Skills for the Active Family Lawyer
Care and Feeding of Your Financial Expert: How to Work Ethically and
Effectively for Maximum Results
Domestic Violence and Custody - Its Evolution in 2004
2004 AAML Matrimonial Arbitration Training Institute, Louisville, KY
Scope of Matrimonial Arbitration: History and Development
Statutory Overview and Case Law
Advantages and Disadvantages of Matrimonial Arbitration
Uniform Arbitration Act and Selected State Statutes
Ethical Consideration for Arbitrators
Arbitration Agreements and Court Orders for Arbitration
Preparing for Arbitration as a Litigator: You and Your Client
Conducting a Successful Arbitration: Facilities, Decorum and Procedures
Entering Judgments and Post-Judgment Issues
Arbitration Fees and Costs
Judicial Immunity
Techniques of Effective Award Writing
Drafting of Arbitration Awards
2003 American Bar Association Section of Family Law, 2003 Fall CLE
Conference, Seattle, WA
Trusts: Creativity in Dividing Marital Property
Sleuthing in Seattle: Seizing and Deciphering Computer Evidence
Competency Issues in Divorce, Custody and Guardianship Cases
Marital Stew: Commingling and Tracing Assets in
Divorce: His, Hers or Theirs
Catch Me If You Can, or, Who Really Owns the Property?
2003 6th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML
and LBA, Louisville, KY
Disability, Retirement and Pensions
What Judges Need to Know to Decide Complex Financial Issue Cases
Complex Financial Issue Cases - The Judge’s Perspective
A Vision for Kentucky’s Family Courts After the Constitutional Amendment
Military Benefits: A Trap for Unwary Lawyers and Judges
Rehabilitative Maintenance - Not Always in Kentucky
Dissipation & Fault Maintenance
The Complex Financial Case - Get a Grip and Analyze the Tax Returns
Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Status in Kentucky
Ethics, Bounds of Advocacy and Challenges
Evaluation of Closely Held Business
2003 LBA Family Law Section, Louisville, KY
Changes in Jefferson Family Court Due to Passage of the
Constitutional Amendment
2002 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Federal Wiretapping Laws and Related Topics
Federal Legislation—Employee Benefit Reforms
Accounting Standards and Practice: Changes and Impact on Family Law
Changing Tides in Compensation
Ethics Jeopardy
The Executive Mine Field: Are the Time Bombs Real or Imagined?
Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act
Indian Welfare Act
Drug Testing & Related Federal Issues
Children’s Passports & Travel Restrictions - An Update
Relocation
Laws Relating to Mental Health
Federal Gun Control Laws and Temporary Orders and
Family Violence Orders
Federal Tax Laws - An Update
Bankruptcy - An Update
How Attorneys Can Evaluate Custody Evaluations
Management of a Family Law Practice
Preparing and Presenting Charts, Graphs, Etc.
Hague Convention
Anderson, Enron - A Unique Perspective
2002 Collaborative Family Law Workshop, Louisville, KY
Traditional Practice of Family Law
History of Collaborative Family Law
Shifting the Paradigm—Becoming a Collaborative Lawyer
The Interest-Based Negotiation Model
Collaborative Communication
The Initial Client Interview
Role Play: The Initial Client Interview
The Collaborative Four-Way Settlement Conference
Role Play: Client Preparation for the Four-Way
Role Play: Attorneys Preparation for the Four-Way
Role Play: Four-Way Settlement Conference
Professionalism
2002 Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
and Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY
Collaborative Divorce Law Training
Parental Alienation in High-Conflict Cases
Model Family Courts and the Role of Lawyers in Kentucky
Unspoken Marriage Agreements and Their Impact on Divorce
Panel of Ethical Issues in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Divorce Taxation
Dissipation Claims in Dissolution Cases
2001 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
How to Give the Present a Past, Marriage from 1950 to 2000
The Emerging 21st Century Family
Stepparents and/or Rights of Children
The Politics of Sex
Rights of Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children
Bio-Ethics
The Development of New Technologies in Human Reproduction
How to Examine and Cross-Examine a Psychologist
International Law
Business Evaluation/AICPA Presentation
2001 Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law
PowerPoint Proficiency in the Practice of Law
2001 Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law
Custody Evaluation and Parenting Schedules
2001 Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
and LBA, Louisville, KY
Thinking Tools for Lawyers, Technology for Family Law,
Especially Multidimensional Tools and Mindmapping
Child Support Guidelines and Deviations, Particularly in Equally
Shared Parenting Time Schedules
The Joys of Settlement Part II
A Vision for Family Court—The Rule of Law
Custody Testing with Interactive Discussion of Rorschach
The Joys of Ethics
2000 American Academy of Matrimonial Laywers, Chicago, IL
Exotic Executive Compensation, How to Discover, Value,
Negotiate, Divide and Protect Against Hidden Tax
Consequences
Uniform Parentage Act
Cutting Edge Progress to Strategize, Organize and
Present Your Case
Communication Arts for the Professional
Statements from Children - Can They Be Trusted
2000 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Lexington, KY
Third Annual Family Law Seminar
Business Appraisals for the Advanced Practitioner
Preparing Your Client for Mediation
Working with the Experts
New Innocent Spouse Rules
Divorcing the Military and Civil Service Employees
Third Party Access for Children
Highlights from the General Assembly 2000
1999 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL
Children in the Underground
Computer Tips for Family Law Lawyers
Federalization of Family Law
Very Advanced Business Appraisals
Advance Trial Techniques
1999 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville, KY
Second Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar
Children of Divorce
Current Trends in Custody
Proposed Legislation on Custody and Parenting
De Facto Custodian
Missing Assets
QDRO's
Divorce vs. Bankruptcy
COBRA/QMCSO
Tort Claims
Tax Issues
1998 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Chicago, IL
Mental Health Professionals and the Legal System Including
Ethical Issues
Special Concerns of Children
Creative Custody Strategies & Arrangements
Valid/Invalid Sexual Abuse Allegations and
Ethical Considerations
Management of Big Property Cases
Representing the Corporate Executive
Ethically Attacking and Defending the Use of Trusts
to Reduce the Marital Estate
When Worlds Collide—Divorce v. Bankruptcy
Tax Issues Related to Sale of a Residence and Attorneys'
Fees Allocated to Preservation of Property
Division of the Large Marital Estate
Valuation of Professional and Celebrity Goodwill
1998 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, LBA and UK,
Louisville, KY, First Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar
Revolution in Relocation: New Major Decisions, Commentary on
Clauses, Advanced Techniques and Trial Strategy
Parental Alienation Syndrome: Case Notes and Practice Pointers
A Vision for Family Court
Obtaining Attorney Fee Awards
How to Classify, Value and Divide Non-Vested Assets
Dirty Tricks, Hardball and Officers of the Court
Mediation and the Family Lawyer
Child Support Guidelines
Child Support Outside the Guidelines
Discovery & Disclosure
Valuation of Marital Property
Guardian Ad Litem Guidelines for Attorneys Representing
Children in Custody and Visitation
Current Law in Kentucky on Joint Custody
1997 Tax Consequences Affecting Family Law
Non-Parental Visitation Rights
Private Adoptions in Kentucky
1998 Women Lawyers Association Legal Ethics
1998 Kentucky Bar Association 1998 Kentucky Law Update
1997 University of Kentucky—Family Law Institute
Development in Domestic Relations Law
Tax Considerations Attendant to the Typical Domestic
Relations/Divorce Case
Use and Misuse of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
Bankruptcy Planning in Domestic Relations
Representing Parties in Family Law Matters Involving Child Sexual Abuse
Parent Relocation Issues: Revolution in Relocation
Specificity and Flexibility in Custody Rulings
Time Sharing for Parents and Children
Dealing with Mental Health Experts in Domestic Relations Cases
Family Law Practice Ideas to the Year 2000 and Beyond
Professional responsibility and Domestic Relations Practice
1997 Women Lawyers Association—Legal Ethics
1996 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers—Chicago, IL
Matrimonial Law
Using Financial Planning Techniques in Divorce Trials to Obtain High
Maintenance Awards & Other Benefits
Drafting Marital Agreements in Anticipation of Estate Planning Issues
Creative Use of QDROs in Divorce Planning
Who Gets Custody of Uncle Sam (Drafting to Avoid Taxes)
Strategies for Outlining High Maintenance Awards
Re-examining Joint Custody
Relocation: Moving Forward or Moving Backwards?
Joint Custody: Practice Pointers and Consideration
Fault: Should It Return to Our Cases and, if so, Where and When?
Valuation of Professional Service Practice
1996 Jefferson Family Court - Jefferson Family Court Rules
1996 Louisville Bar Association Center for Continuing Legal Education—
Basic Legal Guide to the Internet
1996 Kentucky Bar Association, 1996 Convention
